BBC - The story of the Cumbrian floods A flooded Appleby-in-Westmorland Cumbria is warned of more heavy rain to come during the afternoon. The Environment Agency says the areas most at risk of flooding are around Keswick, Appleby and parts of Carlisle. By lunchtime water spills over from the River Eden in Appleby causing flooding in The Sands area of the town. Most of the county is under the lowest level of alert, a flood watch. Thursday, 19 November 2009 Cumbria is hit by severe flooding Dozens of people are forced to leave their homes as Cumbria battles severe weather conditions, with 200mm (8in) of rain predicted for some areas. BBC News: Major floods hit parts of Cumbria There are now six severe flood warnings in force in Cumbria. That means serious problems in Cockermouth, Keswick, two places along the River Kent near Burneside, the River Cocker at Southwaite Bridge, and along the River Eamont near Penrith. Friday, 20 November 2009 Roof of submerged car visible at Cockermouth.

Hundreds of people have been affected after water levels in the town of Cockermouth reached 8.2ft, (2.5m). About 200 people are rescued by emergency services in the town. The Environment Agency describes the scale of the flooding as "unprecedented" and the Met Office says rainfall in some parts of the county had been some of the heaviest on record. Missing officer A police officer is swept away after a flood-damaged bridge collapses. The father-of-four was directing motorists off the bridge when the force of the water caused the collapse. Pc Barker had been with the Cumbria force for 25 years BBC News: Floods body is missing policeman Tributes The wife of Pc Bill Barker, who died when a bridge collapsed in floods in Cumbria, says she is comforted by knowing he was trying to help others. Tributes are paid by fellow officers and senior politicians, including Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Saturday, 21 November 2009 Tracing the floods in Cockermouth More than 500 people in Cumbria have to spend the night with relatives and friends or in emergency shelters after the floods.

BBC News: Flood waters force 500 from homes Relief centres at Cockermouth School and the Sheep and Wool Centre in the town are accommodating about 75 people. The Prime Minister Gordon Brown meets flood victims in Cumbria and commits government money to help rebuild communities. The flooding in Cumbria has also affected many of its historical attractions. Damage to Wordsworth house in Cockermouth In Cockermouth, it's revealed that Wordsworth House has had a lucky escape after its volunteers managed to lift many of the historical artefacts to dry floors. But the grounds did not fare as well, with the oak gates ripped off and walls and terraces demolished. The National Trust has also experienced flood damage at other properties that it owns throughout the county. Flood waters have also caused damage to historical documents elsewhere in the county. Hundreds of Victorian glass photographic negatives suffered damaged when water got into a storeroom at Ambleside museum. Wednesday, 25 November 2009 Cumbria escapes fresh flooding as some river levels start to fall, but 13 warnings are in place across the county. The Environment Agency says the amount of rain that fell on Cumbria overnight was less than expected.

People involved in essential flood recovery work are asked to attend a special vaccination session in Cockermouth. They're to be vaccinated against seasonal flu, swine flu and pneumococcal infections such as meningitis and pneumonia. Thursday, 26 November 2009 One week after the rivers started to rise many streets around the county are now filled with skips. Skips line the Main street in Cockermouth Northern Rail says it's putting on extra services to cope with the number of people who want to use the railway to cross the River Derwent. Thanks The daughter of Pc Bill Barker has written a poignant letter of thanks for the support her family has received. BBC News: Pc daughter's message of thanks Friday, 27 November 2009 Hundreds of people attend the funeral of Pc Bill Barker who died while helping others during last week's floods. Pc Barker had gone to the aid of a motorist on Northside Bridge in Workington when it collapsed. Royal visit The Prince of Wales praises the "community spirit" of flood-hit Cumbria during a visit to the county. In Workington, Prince Charles views the extent of the damage to the town which was cut in half when floods destroyed or damaged its bridges.

He also meets construction workers building a temporary train station to provide links to residents forced to make long detours. He then goes to Keswick where he switches on the Christmas lights. Reconnecting A temporary footbridge spanning the River Derwent in Workington is to be built by the army. Royal Engineers from Tidworth in Wiltshire will build the bridge reconnecting the north and south sides of the flood-hit town. New railway station Building a train station in days Work continues on the temporary railway station on the north side of the River Derwent in Workington. The new platforms are constructed from scaffolding and wooden boards with a non-slip surface. The station will be a vital link between the northern and southern sides of the town after two bridges collapsed and the remaining one became unstable in the floods. Building a new railway station Monday, 30 November 2009 A temporary railway station opens in Workington to help reconnect the two sides of the flood-hit Cumbrian town. The first train on the service, which will run for at least six months A free hourly service from the new station - Workington North - takes passengers to the existing station on the south side of the River Derwent.

The new station has been built in six days by Network Rail and has two platforms, a portable waiting room, a gravel car park and a footbridge. The free service runs as far north as Maryport, a few miles along the coast. It is designed to help residents on the north side who face long detours to reach the town centre or local schools and supermarkets. New rail station for flood town Monday, 7 December 2009 A temporary footbridge, built by the Army, re-unites the Cumbrian town of Workington which was split in half by floodwaters. Workington's new Barker Crossing, built by the Army, is named after Pc Bill Barker who died when Northside Bridge collapsed as he tried to clear traffic. Workington's new footbridge opens Schoolchildren are the first to cross the temporary bridge. The work has been co-ordinated by the Army, with help from the Royal Engineers, Royal Logistic Corps, Royal Signals and the Royal Military Police. BBC: New Bridge opens in Workington The future Although the flood waters may have drained away, it's warned that the legacy of physical and mental damage could last for months.

Streets lined with skips For the people of Cockermouth, realisation is beginning to sink in of the sheer amount of effort it will take to repair their town. A cursory glance down the once-bustling Main Street says it all. Debris is still scattered across the road while furniture and shop fittings pile up on pavements and in skips. Cumbria's economy set to stay afloat Cumbria has had it tough this century. November's floods are the third disaster to strike after foot and mouth in 2001 and a previous wave of floods in 2005, which that time primarily struck Carlisle. 'BBC News: Cumbria's economy set to stay afloat Additional information A number of bridges have collapsed or are on the verge of giving way in the Cumbrian floods. But is there any way to guarantee this doesn't happen?

RAIN GAUGE Seathwaite and Borrowdale had 314mm in 24 hours on Thursday, thought to be wettest 24 period ever recorded in the UK Monthly rainfall in 25 days - Keswick 470mm Monthly rainfall in 25 days - Shap 579mm Cumbria floods: 11 people missing including police officer as hundreds are rescued from rising floods | Daily Mail Online Policeman killed was 'saving lives' when bridge collapsed Hilary Benn: Floods could be 'one-in-a-thousand years' event Record rainfall as 314mm falls in just 24 hours Water levels rise to eight feet in worst-affected streets Local MP: Flood is 'of biblical proportions' PC Bill Barker had been missing since the early hours of this morning. His body was found on a beach this afternoon He died a hero, doing the job he loved. PC Bill Barker became the tragic face of the 'Biblical' floods yesterday after the heaviest 24-hour downpour in British history.

Without regard for his own safety, the police motorcyclist stood in pitch darkness at 4.40am desperately trying to direct traffic away from a stone bridge above a perilously swollen river. Then the bridge collapsed and the torrent surged through - sweeping him away to a Cumbrian beach where his body was found yesterday afternoon. His assistant chief constable, Jerry Graham, said: 'We must pay tribute to the emergency services who run towards danger when other people quite rightly run away from it. He's really put himself in danger. He was directing motorists off the bridge, saving lives.' Witnesses said a man and his young son were ushered to safety by the PC just before the bridge over the Derwent in Workington gave way with a thunderous crash. As the Queen and the Prime Minister paid tribute to father-of-four PC Barker's courage, his widow spoke of her anguish of losing her 'best friend' - who had been in the force for 25 years and would have celebrated his 45th birthday today. Hazel Barker, also 45, said: 'How do you put into words how you feel about somebody you are so proud of? Bill was my best friend, my forever friend, and an amazing dad.

Even when he was exhausted from work he would always take time out for the kids. 'I have the comfort of knowing that Bill died doing the job he loved and the fact that he was helping others is just typical Bill.' Mrs Barker was being comforted at their semi- detached home in Egremont along with their children Simon, 16, Melissa, 15, Daniel, 13, and seven-year-old Emma Louise. In her message, the Queen said she was 'deeply concerned and saddened by the dreadful flooding'. Inland ocean: An RAF Sea King helicopter crew look for more victims stranded in their homes in Cockermouth An aerial view of the destroyed Northside bridge in Workington, Cumbria. PC Barker was standing on it directing people away when it suddenly collapsed Workington from the air: The aerial view shows the extent of the river's burst banks and how it flooded the Cumbrian town Three children and two young men are carried to safety by firefighters and RNLI rescuers She also expressed her gratitude for the 'selfless' efforts of the emergency services and sent them her 'heartfelt thanks'. Gordon Brown said the dead officer was a 'very heroic, very brave man'.

Sir Hugh Orde, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, said: 'Being part of the police service means walking towards danger and, in the best traditions of the service, that is what Bill Barker bravely did.' The Northside bridge was one of four to collapse during a day of high drama in Cumbria. Weathermen said 13.5 inches of rain fell in the area in 24 hours - the highest level ever recorded. They described the freak flash floods as 'historic' while Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said they were a 'one-in-1,000-year' event. Destroyed: The bridge in Workington that collapsed under PC Barker More than 200 people were rescued by emergency services in Cockermouth, the worst-hit town. Around 50 of them, ranging from toddlers to pensioners, had to be winched to safety by RAF helicopters - some from their roofs. Others were rescued by lifeboat. Some homeowners were forced to dive out of their front doors and float to the surface. It was Cockermouth's third flood in four years. More heavy rain is forecast in Cumbria today and tomorrow.

There will be some respite on Monday but further wet weather is forecast for Tuesday. The record deluge caused the Rivers Derwent and Cocker - which converge in Cockermouth - to burst their banks. Workington MP Tony Cunningham said the flood was of 'Biblical proportions'. He had been to the bridge which collapsed under PC Barker the night before and had never seen the Derwent so wide. 'The force of the river was absolutely incredible,' he added. 'To wash away a stone bridge of that size is incredible.' Residents in Cockermouth were angry that more was not done to prevent the floods and have accused the authorities of 'putting salmon before people' after their calls to dig a stretch of the river 10ft deeper were vetoed this summer because it might harm fish stocks. Pat Edwards, 81, is rescued from her home in Cockermouth today Dinah Cooper, 80, and her son William were saved from their home on Croftside, one of the worst-hit streets. Mr Cooper said he has lost all of his possessions but is just glad that his family are safe.

His wife Helen said: "My husband and mother-in-law were stuck in the house but me and my daughter were safe because I went to pick her up from school yesterday and when I came back I couldn't get back into my house. The whole road was cut off. 'We've been so worried because they were stranded there overnight. We've got nothing left but the clothes we are standing in but I am so happy to see them safe.' Adam Marks, from Eamont Bridge, near Penrith, Cumbria, said he was 'devastated' after his home and business was flooded for the second time in five years. Mr Marks, his three children and his partner Mary Ballantyne were all evacuated at 9am and taken to Penrith Leisure Centre. The 45-year-old runs his Indian pickle and curry paste business, Mr Vikki's, from a property next to his four-bedroom home and said both have been ruined. 'I'm absolutely gutted and very, very upset,' he said.

'My partner is absolutely devastated, she's been crying her eyes out.' Mr Marks said his property was flooded in 2005 and added: 'Lightning really does strike twice.' He said: 'It's very difficult, we've taken a long time to get the house sorted out, and now it's happened all over again.' Rescuers frantically searched the banks of the river Derwent for PC Barker A woman is carried to safety in a dinghy. RAF helicopters airlifted at least 50 people from buildings in the town. A rescue worker carries an elderly lady after she was rescued from a house in the flooded streets Environment Secretary Mr Benn said that while flood defences had been strengthened recently, they were built to withstand only a 'one-in-100-years flood'. 'What we dealt with was probably more like one-in-1,000, so even the very best defences, if you have such quantities of rain in such a short space of time, can be over-topped,' he told Radio 4.

Julian Mayes, a forecaster with MeteoGroup UK, said the rainfall in Cumbria was a 'historic event', equivalent to five or six months of rainfall typically experienced over London and the South East. 'It's the sheer quantity in the last 36 hours that has caused the flooding. In November the ground is saturated. The rain can't get into the soil, it just runs off. That means rivers rise very quickly and suddenly.' Yesterday the Environment Agency had six severe flood warnings in place - all in Cumbria. A spokesman for the Association of British Insurers said initial estimates are that insurers face paying out between £50million and £100million over the flooding in Cumbria and parts of Scotland - but that could easily rise. In Cockermouth, water began flowing into homes, shops and offices on Thursday afternoon and was at least 10ft deep by nightfall. John Holloway, 57, and his wife Carolyn, 56, have lived in Cockermouth for years but their house has never been flooded, not even in 2005. This time there was no escape.

Mr Holloway said: 'The water started coming through the back door at around 10pm. A mountain rescue team came to our door and gave us five minutes to get some belongings and get out. We were taken away in a boat back down the cul-de-sac where the water was chest high. It was literally a race to beat the water.' University lecturer Sue Cashmore, 49, had her home flooded last October, causing £35,000 damage. The repair work had only just been completed. At least she had insurance. Having been flooded out twice before, her parents Jill and Tony Cashmore, both 73, who live on the same street, were refused cover. 'The water has gone up to the first floor,' said their daughter. 'Everything has gone. I just don't know what they are going to do.' Merry Christmas? Not this year for these underwater homes and businesses in Cockermouth Residents of Cockermouth climb out of their windows as they are rescued from their homes in dinghies Despite being chairman of the Cockermouth Flood Action Group, Mrs Cashmore accepts the flood was so 'extreme' there was little anyone could have done to prevent it.

But she added: 'The Environment Agency has said the risk of a flood is once every 50 years and we've had three in four years. Something's not right.' Flooding was also reported in north-west Wales and in Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland, but Cumbria was hardest hit. RAF helicopters airlifted at least 50 people from buildings in Cockermouth, where police said around 960 homes were at risk of flooding after the fast-flowing River Cocker burst its banks. The Environment Agency said the rainfall over Cumbria had reached record levels with 314.4mm (12.3 inches) falling in 24 hours up to 00.45am - a record for England. The Environment Agency Floodline service received more than 12,000 calls from members of the public over the last 48 hours and issued more than 43,000 flood alerts via phone, text, email and fax. Julian Mayes, a forecaster with MeteoGroup UK said the rainfall was a 'historical event'.

Mr Mayes said the levels of rain in Cumbria were equivalent to five or six months of rainfall typically experienced over London and the south east of England. Mr Benn, who is in Cockermouth, said it may have 'the wettest day ever recorded' in the county. He said that even defences built after the floods of 2005 to withstand a 'one-in-1,000-years flood' could not cope with the volume of water. 'What we dealt with last night was probably more like one-in-a-1,000, so even the very best defences, if you have such quantities of rain in such a short space of time, can be over-topped,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. Kevin Bell, night porter at the Washington Central Hotel in Workington, said: 'The affected area is about 400 yards from here. 'I've been down and had a look but you can't get very close because it's cordoned off. 'A cricket pitch and the old speedway track are among areas under water, which is up to four feet deep in places, somebody said.

'It's terrible, it shows the volume of water that went through, to knock a bridge over. 'We've had floods before but not to this degree. It's probably one of those once in 100 year events,' said Mr Bell, 48, of Maryport, Cumbria. Rescue services from Gloucestershire - which was devastated by floods in 2007 - rushed to the aid of their Cumbrian counterparts. Rescue services navigate the flood waters as they move from house to house Inflatables take to the water on Cockermouth High Street this morning John Carlin, owner of the Allerdale Court Hotel, in Cockermouth town centre, said the amount of rainfall to hit the area was 'staggering'. He said: 'I have lived here for 15 years and have never seen anything like it. 'At two o'clock (yesterday) it was raining heavily but there was nothing here but now there is four feet of water outside my front door. The amount of rain has been staggering. 'It's desperate. The town centre is completely flooded, the only people out there at the moment are the emergency services. The water is up to the waists of the firefighters.

'We are under six inches of water ourselves but we have still got electricity and the fire service have told us they are on standby if they need to evacuate us. 'I can see still see lights on outside. Our hotel electricity is in the cellar, I have tried to seal it up but we've lost it if it fills up.' Workington MP Tony Cunningham said the flood was 'of biblical proportions' and seen 'once every 1,000 years'. The Labour MP told Sky News: 'The scale and the force of the devastation in Cockermouth is huge.' He said it would have taken great force to destroy the Northside Bridge in Workington. 'I went down to the bridge last night and I've never seen the River Derwent as wide as it was. 'The force of the river was absolutely incredible. This is a stone bridge, to wash away a bridge of that size and dimension is incredible.' Dozens of others were helped to safety by the RNLI, the coastguard, police, fire and rescue and mountain rescue teams. The army was called in to help with house-to-house rescues as Gordon Brown offered the Government's full assistance in dealing with the disaster.

Flooding was also reported in north-west Wales and in Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland. The Environment Agency had in place six severe flood warnings - all in Cumbria - 29 flood warnings, and 65 less serious flood watches. Water levels rose to almost 8ft (2.5m) on the worst affected streets in Cockermouth and two bridges in the area collapsed, police said. Homes in the lower lying part of Keswick were evacuated after the River Greta burst its banks yesterday morning, rising to about 5ft (1.5m) higher than normal. An aerial view of Cockermouth, Cumbria, submerged in flood water after the town was cut off following torrential rain Debris and wreckage on Main Street in Cockermouth Residents were being warned not to drive or walk through flood water or attempt to unblock drains themselves. They were also being urged to check on vulnerable friends and neighbours and ensure they are equipped with torches, mobile phones, waterproofs, water, radios with batteries, medication and other essential items. With the downpour predicted to continue today, the Environment Agency warned that more properties were at risk from the rising floodwater.

A person is winched to safety as an RAF Sea King rescue helicopter hovers over houses in Cockermouth The AA said it was 'flat out' rescuing stricken cars in north-west England and North Wales. Richard Westmoreland, the motoring organisation's water rescue technician, said: 'Conditions in Cumbria have been horrendous - the worst I've seen." Officials worked through last night to put up temporary flood defences for 400 properties in Carlisle, although the Environment Agency admitted that pockets of the city were still at risk. Rescue operations were also under way last night in Eamont Bridge, Low Crosby and Warwick Bridge. Insurers were bracing themselvesfor a rush of claims from people hit by the flooding. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said it was too early to say how much the floods would cost the industry. The 2007 floods across large parts of Yorkshire, the Midlands and the West Country cost insurers just over £3 billion, but they were on a much wider scale than the latest incident, which is mainly confined to Cumbria.

Two women wade through deep water in the flooded streets of Cockermouth Houses line the flooded River Derwent after it broke its banks Video: Tribute to policeman killed in floods Video: Cockermouth left devastated UK flooding - live | News | The Guardian The Guardian News blog UK flooding - as it happened A police officer has been killed in Cumbria after severe flooding caused bridges to collapse and hundreds of homes to be evacuated, as RAF helicopters winch stranded people to safety Friday 20 November 2009 03.34 EST First published on Friday 20 November 2009 03.34 EST 8.25am: Here are the latest developments: • A major rescue operation was launched last night to evacuate more than 200 people in Cockermouth in Cumbria . • The army had been called out to help with door-to-door work in flood-hit areas. • The severe weather has led to extraordinary scenes in Cumbria and Wales and prompted travel chaos in northern England and Scotland. 8.40am: A distressing press release has been issued by Cumbria police.

It reads: Unfortunately Cumbria police can confirm that one of our police officers is unaccounted for after a bridge collapsed at Northside in Workington. A search operation is underway and we have assigned a liaison officer to support the family. This is an extremely difficult time for the officer's colleagues, who are still committed to supporting the community and dealing with the flood situation. It also warns people to stay off bridges: Members of the public are continuing to be urged not to use bridges as vantage points to view the flood waters. This could be extremely dangerous and the public are advised to stay away from bridges and use caution and common sense. Two bridges in Workington have collapsed including Navvies footbridge, Southside Road Bridge and Northside Bridge on the A6597. 8.43am: The severe flood warnings are for: River Kent at Burneside, Bournville, Bridge St, Carling Dale, Ivy Cresent, New Road and St. River Kent at Burneside, Steeles Row and Carling Steps. River Greta at Keswick, Crosthwaite and Limepots Road, High Hill and Church Lane Areas. River Cocker at Cockermouth.

River Eamont at Eamont Bridge, Kemplay Foot, Skirsgill Lane and Southwaite Green Mill. River Cocker at Southwaite Bridge. 8.47am: 8.50am: Cumbria police have issued a clarification about the number of people missing. Ten minutes ago a spokeswoman said 11 people were unaccounted for. But in a new email she said: Police can confirm that Emergency services are looking at 10 properties that we have not been able to reach in Cockermouth. There is still a search underway for the missing Police Officer that was released earlier. In a phone call with my colleague Adam Gabbatt a spokesman said that at this stage it was "impossible" to say how many people were unaccounted for. 9.37am: Four bridges have now collapsed in Cumbria according to PA, as Workington Tony Cunningham said the flood was "of biblical proportions", Speaking to Sky News he said: "I went down to the bridge last night and I've never seen the River Derwent as wide as it was. "The force of the river was absolutely incredible.

This is a stone bridge, to wash away a bridge of that size and dimension is incredible." 9.46am: 9.52am: The MoD has given more details of the rescue effort. A spokesman said: The armed forces have been assisting the Cumbrian emergency services through the night in dealing with the severe flooding in and around Cockermouth. Cumbria Police are leading and coordinating the overall rescue effort. Three RAF search and rescue helicopters from bases at Valley, Leconfield and Boulmer and two RAF mountain rescue teams are assisting at the scene. Two engineering teams are constructing hard-standings to allow forward operating bases for the helicopters. This morning, personnel from RAF Spadeadam with Land Rovers are providing the police and fire services with additional mobility in the town and Carlisle Castle barracks is being used as a forward base and rest centre for the emergency services. 9.58am: An extraordinary aerial view has emerged of a destroyed bridge in Cockermouth . 10.00am: The Environment Agency said its gauging station at Seawaite Farm recorded 314.4mm (12.3 inches) in 24 hours - a record for England.

Environment Agency chairman Lord Smith said: "This is an extremely serious incident - our thoughts are with those people whose homes have been flooded. "We have seen unprecedented rainfall, with what we believe is a record amount for a 24-hour period in England." 10.07am: "Steady, steady, you're with the survivor" . A radio recording has emerged of an RAF Sea King helicopter rescuing a stranded woman in Cumbria. "She's completely wet" a man is heard to say. 10.24am: Cumbria Police have opened a new helpline for those concerned about friends and relatives in the county. The numbers are: 0800 0560944 or 0207 1580010. 10.31am: close 10.40am: A lifeboat searching for the missing police officer was forced back because of bad weather after three hours this morning, the RNLI told PA.

RNLI lifeboat operations manager Captain Brian Ashbridge said: "There is a massive current coming down through the Derwent so, although the sea isn't very rough, conditions for the RNLI volunteers searching in the river basin have been very challenging. "It's absolutely horrendous. There is a huge amount of debris around in the water at the moment as well, which adds to the difficulties." 10.44am: Environment Agency staff are working round the clock. Catherine Ross tweets: "My husband works for the Environment Agency and hasn't been home in 2 days . He & colleagues are working tirelessly to manage floods". 10.55am: More from the RNLI on the rescue operation for the missing police officer . Workington RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Captain Brian Ashbridge said: There is a massive current coming down through the Derwent so, although the sea isn't very rough, conditions for the RNLI volunteers searching in the river basin have been very challenging. It's absolutely horrendous. There is a huge amount of debris around in the water at the moment as well, which adds to the difficulties. In a phone call a spokeswoman revealed that one of the rescue boats was damaged by the debris.

It is about to be relaunched after running repairs, she said. 11.08am: This clip shows the extent of flooding in Cockermouth yesterday. The comments section includes a remarkable cry of help on behalf of people stranded in a hotel in the town. It says: my boyfriend and about 35 others are stranded in the Trout Hotel which is 4ft underwater. they are on the upper levels and need to get out of there ASAP many are soaked and there is no heating or electricity! Flooding in Cockermouth, Cumbria. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA 11.15am: Cumbria police are due to give a press conference at lunchtime on the rescue efforts and the search for the missing officer. 11.35am: The Environment Agency is urging people to check its free phone flood warning service on 08459 881188. If you're looking for information on Cockermouth this is what you eventually get after a number of keypad prompts. 11.42am: Rescue hovercrafts are on their way to Cumbria from Gloucestershire .

Chief Fire Officer of Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service, Terry Standing, said: "I spoke to the Cumbria Chief Fire Officer and he felt that hovercraft assistance would be of tremendous value in helping with the serious flooding that has hit Kendal and Cockermouth." 11.49am: A new Guardian video shows more flooding scenes from Cumbria. 11.52am: Gordon Brown has spoken to the chief constable of Cumbria to offer support. He said: Our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted by these floods, and our thanks go out to all the emergency services [and all other agencies involved in the response] who continue in their extraordinary efforts to help the people affected. 11.54am: More than 1,600 homes in the north Lakes area are without power, a spokeswoman for United Utilities told BBC radio Cumbria. 11.59am: The Guardian's Northern editor Martin Wainwright is on the A66 on his way to Cockermouth. He says the town is famous for its independent shops which are likely to have been hit hard by the floods. Some help is at hand.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has opened its £500,000 Disaster Recovery Fund to members which have been adversely affected the flooding. 12.03pm: A Sky News reporter in Workington reports local concerns that a railway bridge across the Derwent could be swept away at high tide at 2pm. The bridge has been seen creaking. The missing police officer was standing on a road bridge in the town before he was swept away when it collapsed. 12.10pm: The Cumberland News and Star is running a live webchat to keep its readers informed, much to the approval of local press champion Roy Greenslade . 12.17pm: A Facebook group called Cumbrian Floods 2009 has been set up . One recent updates says the banks of Derwent have burst again. 12.22pm: Hill farmers in Cumbria are battling to move stock to higher ground, Farmers Weekly reports. Dead sheep and cattle have already been spotted close to Cockermouth, one of the areas worst-hit by the River Derwent overflowing, it adds.

Sheep farmer Andrew Nicholson said he had never witnessed anything like it: I have a bunch of cattle about a mile away from home but because the bridge has gone I've had to travel eight miles to feed them today - and that's going to be how it is all through the winter until the bridge is repaired. 12.31pm: The Guardian's northern editor Martin Wainwright is struggling to reach Cockermouth, he has just described to me his epic journey across the fells. It's like driving up a waterfall he says as new lakes are emerging in in the Lake District. Roads policing officer Bill Barker is missing after directing traffic on a bridge that was swept away. 12.37pm: The missing police man has been named as PC Bill Barker. Assistant Chief Constable Jerry Graham said: I'm devastated by the events of the last few days and particularly the news this morning that one of our officers is unaccounted for following the collapse of a bridge at Northside in Workington. However, I am so proud of the way our communities and the emergency services are working together in the face of this crisis.

The officer who is unaccounted for is PC Bill Barker, who has served the communities of Cumbria with the Constabulary for 25 years. He was directing motorists off the bridge, saving lives, when the tragic incident occurred. He is a valued colleague and friend of many officers and staff within the Constabulary - and to those in West Cumbria where he lives and serves. A full and thorough search is underway and we are not losing hope of finding him. We have a dedicated officer who is supporting the family during this distressing time. This is an extremely difficult time for everyone involved in the rescue operation and all officers and staff continue to work valiently to ensure the public remains safe. 12.47pm: Sad news emerging from Cumbria ... a body has been found. A Cumbria police spokeswoman said: Police can confirm that the body of man has been found on a beach in west Cumbria. It is reported that the man is wearing police uniform and officers are at the scene. Formal identification has not been confirmed. 1.27pm: Martin Wainwright has now reached Cockermouth and has caught up with resident Teresa Halder. "It just came up so fast...

it was just horrendous," she says. "The heart of the town has been taken out. Lots of individual businesses are going to go to the wall because of this." 1.40pm: Keith Fairs, a shopkeeper from Cockermouth, describes the damage to his kitchenware showroom and how he had to be rescued through a skylight. 1.49pm: Bill Barker the policeman now feared dead was a family liaison officer trained to deal with disasters and comfort families, Cumbria police revealed. The Northside Bridge on which Barker was standing was swept away at 4.40am. Assistant Chief Constable Jerry Graham told a news conference: Members of the public were trying to cross the bridge, it was obvious they were going to put themselves in danger. So Pc Barker went out on to the bridge on foot to try and protect them. Unfortunately when they were on the bridge, the bridge gave way just due to the volume of water and Pc Barker went into the water and was swept away." I'm very sad to have to report we've recovered a body on the beach of an individual. That has not been identified. Our thoughts go out to Pc Barker and his family.

"I've heard nothing but good reports about him today. He was a family man with four children. 2.01pm: Martin Wainwright describes the damage to Jennings brewery in Cockermouth. "We won't be brewing for a long time," the head brewer told him. Around the corner there's the "spooky sight" of a tree speared vertically into a bridge. 2.32pm: Rescue workers for both the RNLI and the Red Cross describe the floods as the worst they have ever seen in Britain.

2.39pm: These are just the roads: A66 Keswick closed both ways between A591 and A595 A596 Workington Bridge Workington closed both ways between Calva Brow and B5296 Harrington Road A597 New Bridge Road Northside Bridge Workington closed both ways A594 Cockermouth closed both ways between A595 and A596 A591 problems around Low Wood, Ambleside Southwaite Bridge Road Cockermouth closed both ways at Southwaite Mill B5292 Lorton Street Lorton Bridge Cockermouth closed both ways between Station Road and Lorton Road closed High Cross Broughton in Furness closed both ways at Broughton A591 Troutbeck closed both ways at White Cross Bay A593 Coniston closed both ways between B5285 Hawkshead Old Road and A5095 Borrans Road A595 Holmrook closed both ways at B5344 A591 Kendal Bypass Levens closed both ways between A590 and A6 A592 Newby Bridge closed both ways at A590 A6 Kend

al closed both ways between A685 Appleby Road and B6261 A6 Eamont Bridge closed both ways between Skirsgill Lane and B6262 A6 Church Street Milnthorpe closed both ways between B5282 Park Road and Pool Darkin Lane B5320 Pooley Bridge closed both ways at A592 B5289 Portinscale, Keswick closed both ways between A66 and A5271 High Hill Hardknott Pass closed both ways due to carriageway repairs.

2.44pm: More bridges have collapsed according to the latest update on the damage from Cumbria Police. It says: • Flooding has left more than 250 people sheltering in rescue centres in Cockermouth and Keswick. • More than 1,400 homes are also without power. • The bridge at Braithwaite, Keswick has collapsed with water being diverted by rubble across the A66. • Camerton bridge at Workington and a small suspension bridge between Pooley Bridge and Dalemain is also down. 3.00pm: The Publican has more on how staff at the brewery were evacuated . 3.13pm: Richard Moss, the BBC's political editor for Cumbria and the north east, blogs on the deluge in his home town . Even as a TV journalist it can still seem surreal to see places you know feature in the national news.I've had that feeling overnight with the floods that have engulfed Cumbria, and Cockermouth in particular. I lived close to the town for more than 20 years, growing up and going to school there.My parents and my daughter still live nearby.

So to see the town centre turned into a river was both surreal and worrying. 3.18pm: Up to 20 people are believed to be still trapped in their homes in Cockermouth , The Westmorland Gazette reports. 3.22pm: The police have now confirmed that the body swept up on a beach was that of Pc Bill Barker. 3.37pm: Martin Wainwright has made it to a school which is being used as the evacuation centre in Cockermouth. He puts me on to Lillian Lister, a sheltered housing resident in her 90s who was evacuated this morning "It was like wartime again. We're alright it's just upsetting when you're getting old," she says. (Apologies for the garbled end to the audio). 3.47pm: Gordon Brown has paid tribute to Bill Barker. He described him as a "very heroic, very brave man". 3.56pm: Cumbria Police chief constable Craig Mackey has paid tribute to his colleague. He said: "Bill Barker was a hero who died trying to help others. Barker leaves a wife and four children. He would have celebrated his 45th birthday tomorrow.

Speaking in Nottingham, where the Cabinet was meeting, Gordon Brown said Barker was "a very heroic, very brave man who will be sorely missed by everybody who was close to him. I think we owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for the service he has shown." The prime minister added: "This is what we mean by emergency services - they are called upon to act in the most difficult of circumstances and this is a day where we pay tribute to everything that is done by our emergency services." (That's it for now. Thanks for your comments. There will be more updates soon, including reports from Martin Wainwright and Helen Carter in Cumbria, on our flooding and weather pages.) Cumbrian flood death police officer laid to rest - Daily Record News Cumbrian flood death police officer laid to rest MOURNERS lined the streets today to say farewell to a hero policeman killed in the storms that ravaged Cumbria. Share Get daily updates directly to your inbox + Subscribe Thank you for subscribing! Could not subscribe, try again laterInvalid Email MOURNERS lined the streets today to say farewell to a hero policeman killed in the storms that ravaged Cumbria.

PC Bill Barker, 44, was swept to his death in the swollen waters of the River Derwent when the Northside Bridge in Workington collapsed beneath him. People stood in silence outside St Mary and St Michael Church, in his home town of Egremont, to pay their final respects as church bells rang out. The funeral cortege wound its way slowly through the small town, with six motorcyclists from Cumbria Police's Road Police Unit (RPU) accompanying the hearse. The hearse was laden with flowers and the coffin was draped in the Union flag with PC Parker's police helmet on top. It was followed by four black Mercedes limousines, carrying members of the policeman's family, which swept in to the churchyard. Men watching the procession removed their hats as a sign of respect. Ten RPU officers formed an honour guard outside the church to greet one of their own - PC Barker was a traffic officer and father of four whose bravery in stopping vehicles crossing the stricken bridge cost him his life. His body was found on a beach in nearby Allonby hours after the tragedy, in the early hours of last Friday morning. He was due to celebrate his 45th birthday the day after.

Rev Richard Lee, team rector for Egremont, said: "Family, friends, colleagues, neighbours and those who knew him from afar have come together united in grief for the loss of someone special. "He affected people in so many ways." Delivering one of two eulogies to the congregation, Superintendent GarySlater said Pc Barker was one of the constabulary's most experienced officers who gave much time and energy in his role as family liaison officer within the roads policing unit. This was recognised last June when he received a Chief Officer's Certificate of Merit in recognition of his dedication to the role, he said. He said: "This award was as a consequence of numerous letters of appreciation from the families of those killed on the county's roads, praising the support and compassion provided by the family liaison officers during extremely difficult times. "His resilience in dealing with human tragedies and the commitment to investigative practice has done much to enhance the reputation of the constabulary. "During the past week, his family have received numerous letters from parents, partners and families of bereaved who commented, and I quote from one, 'That warm, caring man who did so much for us when we were in so much pain'.

"It is ironic that his beloved family have now had to experience the very procedures that Bill helped develop and perfect in his desire to support others." PC Barker's green Kawasaki motorbike was parked at the cemetery gates, a poignant reminder of his passion for motorcycles. Around 50 members of the Motorcycle Action Group, to which he belonged, stood in a row beside their machines, helmets lowered, as the hearse swept past to his final resting place. A private burial service will take place for family and close friends. Like us on Facebook Most Read Most Recent Most Read Most Recent BBC News - Cumbria floods: Your stories Cumbria floods: Your stories Advertisement Steven Johnson sent a video of the area around a hotel in Borrowdale Valley BBC News website readers have been writing to us to describe the floods that have engulfed their town. In Cockermouth, where water levels reached 2.5m (8ft 2in), more than 200 people were rescued by emergency services - 50 by RAF helicopters. Flooding was also reported in Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland, where 30 roads closed in "treacherous" conditions.

Here are some of your messages: The Bluebird Cafï¿½ on Coniston water. Photo: Phil Dixon My wife and I run the Bluebird Cafe by the Coniston Water in the Lake District. We have been hit by the floods yesterday and last night. The water was coming in faster than we could cope with. We have approx 2 ft of water in the cafe. We have been running the cafe for the past 27 years and have never known conditions as bad as this. I'm totally devastated by all the damage. We are just 20m from water's edge normally. This morning we waded through waist height water to get to café. There is ten of thousands of pounds worth of damage. The cafe is a historical building and part of the Coniston boating centre. Phil Dixon, Coniston I live in the village of Patcastle, just outside Cockermouth, but couldn't get to work this morning so I'm no helping out with the rescue effort in the town. I'm at one of the two Cockermouth access points for rescue teams where life boats are being launched. The access points are where the flood waters are at their shallowest points, so it's safer to launch the lifeboats.

I'm amongst St John's Ambulance workers, coastguard, RNLI and police who are working together in the rescue effort. I'm helping out at a soup kitchen that has been set up to help rescue workers and those who have been rescued. We've had donations of food from the local Sainsbury's supermarket. I've also been asked to help move people who have been rescued on the dry road route. Paul Horton, Cockermouth I live in Cockermouth, on the main street in a flat above the shops. Me and my mum had to be rescued this morning by boat. We're now staying with my cousins. Rebecca Bancroft, Cockermouth Flooded office at Lodore Falls hotel Photo: Stephen Johnson I am the manager of the Lodore Falls hotel in Borrowdale Valley where 70 guests and 60 staff are stranded. The guests are coping well but some are upset because they miss their children and want to go home. Some of our corporate guests are a bit frustrated because they were unable to attend business meetings and are trying to work with their laptops. The lower floor is flooded as are some areas of the ground floor.

Stephen Johnson, Borrowdale Valley I'm trapped in my office on the main street of Cockermouth. Luckily I have a bedsit on the third floor. I've been in contact with mountain rescue but I'm not a priority because I'm fit and healthy. The power went off overnight which was quite scary, but it's back on again now and it's daylight so it's not so bad. I can see rescue boats going up and down the street. At one point the water was up to 6ft but it has dropped a bit. I would say 95% of the businesses on the high street are small family run businesses so they will be devastated. Phil Howe, Cockermouth I had an appointment in Kendal, but got as far as Ambleside and was stopped by the police and told I couldn't go any further because the roads were blocked. Even then the water was rising behind me. I ended up having to stay in a hotel in Ambleside overnight. A lorry managed to get through the water and made it into the hotel this morning, but the driver said that even 4x4s would struggle to through.

The roads were full of debris and logs so even if the water does subside the roads will be horrendous. David Mckittrick, Ambleside Ashley Tiffen sent this picture of Cockermouth Market Place at 1am I'm Cockermouth born and bred. I spent 30 years in the Cumbrian police force and worked with Bill Barker a few years ago. He was a sensitive officer, a gentleman, dedicated to his job. There is sadness in the town that someone has lost their life, but the community is a strong one and we will pull together. I'm worried about how the town will get back on its feet as many of the businesses in the town are independent and the local factory that employs many people from the town has also been flood damaged. Ashley Tiffen, Cockermouth Danny Rivett and Peter Turner were trapped upstairs at a hotel in Cockermouth There are three of us marooned in an upstairs flat in Market Place, Cockermouth. Never seen it this bad. Two other people nearby in similar position, safe but stuck. Water is three to four feet deep. The rescue helicopter is busy nearby, we are in a narrow courtyard, so can't see a lot.

Don Hindmoor, Cockermouth My step dad is trapped in the upstairs of his house on Waterloo Street, Cockermouth. He is disabled and has three dogs with him. He has no food, no electricity or heating and no medication. The water is halfway up the stairs and rising. The next door neighbours (perfectly able-bodied) were rescued but he has not been contacted except by a paramedic to "asses his health". My mum was at work and is now at a friend's house - she is beside herself. They were flooded in 2005 and Mum says she can't go through the aftermath of that again. Jem Harris, Wilmslow, Cheshire Cockermouth resident Sue Cashmore was trapped by floods I am trapped upstairs in my house with my two daughters (18 and 15) and my daughter's boyfriend. This is the third time in four years we've been flooded so we knew what to expect, although it's never been as bad as this. Our entire downstairs is flooded - it's up to chest height. And we're thinking it's only going to get worse because it has not stopped raining.

We have no electricity, no hot water, no heating so we're sat up here in the dark. We've got a camping stove which we'll use for dinner tonight but we'll have to try and get some more food for tomorrow. My parents are 73 and live just down the road, but I can't get to them now. They're starting to get worried so I called the police to see if they could help. Sue Cashmore, Cockermouth Just been down to see Cockermouth town centre. Devastation. Worse I've seen since I've been here, which is 20 years. All we've had for 36 hours is wind rain rain rain. No trains south. Andy Semple, Cockermouth We tried driving out of the village this morning for the school run - both roads out were flooded with foot deep lakes and in a small hatchback I didn't dare risk it. My neighbour did make a dash for it - in a 4x4 with an anxious teenager on board, destined for an exam at Cockermouth School. Hope she made it. Since then, the only traffic in and out has been milk tankers and tractors. All a bit grim.

Although we live in a house on high ground, the road through the village is a streaming river, fields are underwater and high winds are bringing tree branches down. Lots of local schools are closed or closing and folk are coming home from work early in case they can't make it later. Light now fading and everything getting very bleak - hope we don't lose power lines or the phone. Scary. Claire Connor, Tallentire, Cockermouth I have just spoken to my friend who lives in Cockermouth and she is stood thigh high in cold, dirty water in her living room. When I spoke to her, there was no sign of any emergency help and it is going to get worse because it is still raining and even when it stops, the water will still be flowing down from the fells. This happened at the same time last year but this time it is much, much worse. How much longer before the government will take real action against this instead of talking about it? Flood damage is devastating and many people in Cockermouth can no longer afford the high insurance premiums or excesses imposed so they are left with no means to replace or repair.

Beverley Owen, Morecambe Cockermouth floods: Eyewitness The rain isn't letting up, and flood waters are rising at an alarming rate. Four of the six bridges in Cockermouth weren't passable at 4pm, and it's getting worse now. People's homes and businesses are at risk. Dreadful. Teddy Horton, Cockermouth The rain is truly relentless, I go to school in Cockermouth and have sat my First two GCSE exams before having to go home out of fear of not being able to get to the village in which I live, the road was flooded in many places and the bus had to take a different route than normal. I highly recommend that if you are coming to Cumbria this weekend that you bring a boat. Thomas Cooper, Tallentire, Cockermouth This isn't funny anymore..... not that it ever was. If Carlisle was so badly flooded a few years ago, why didn't we get the same treatment? It's the same river and we're more in a valley. Mother Nature's had her fun... it's time to stop. Millie, Cockermouth Are you in one of the areas hit by flooding? What are conditions like?

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Question: What was the name of the policeman who was killed in the recent Cumbrian floods
Answer: Bill Barker